Page 204 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

182 THE GENERAL APPROACH FOR A SOLID WASTE ASSESSMENT

TABLE 8.15 HAND DRYER COST COMPARISON

MODEL A SERIES MODEL XA5 SERIES
(PUSH BUTTON) (AUTOMATIC)

Cost of purchase $302.50 per dryer $346.50 per dryer
Savings per year $14,904 $14,904

Payback period One dryer for six restrooms, One dryer for six restrooms,
two dryers for men’s two dryers for men’s restroom:
restroom: 1.95 months 2.23 months
One dryer for five restrooms, One dryer for five restrooms,
two dryers for women’s two dryers for women’s
restrooms, four dryers for restrooms, four dryers for
men’s restroom: 2.68 months men’s restroom: 3.07 months
One dryer for five restrooms, One dryer for five restrooms,
four dryers for women’s four dryers for women’s
restrooms, eight dryers for restrooms, eight dryers for
men’s restroom: 4.14 months men’s restroom: 4.74 months

eliminate paper towel waste and subsequently reduce the amount of trees and landfill
space consumed each year by the manufacturer. Also, using hand dryers decreases the
spread of viruses and bacteria that are able to survive on paper towels.

8.10.9 FOOD WASTE

Food waste and food-contaminated waste will not be discussed because it is not recy-
clable. However, the manufacturer may want to consider reducing food packaging
waste through its vending machine selections.

8.10.10 LABEL BACKINGS

Approximately 17 tons of label backings enter the company’s waste stream each year
from the shipping area. According to the company’s personnel, this label backing has
been recycled in the past. After several inquires, the identity of the past recycler is still
unknown. Previous research by the waste assessment team into the reuse/recycling of
label backing has not yielded any local alternatives. Plastics recyclers may be inter-
ested in label backing; however, local recyclers have not shown interest at this time.
Further research could be done to determine if this material is reclaimable or can be
eliminated altogether.

8.10.11 METAL BANDING

There are 31,535 lb of metal banding going into the company’s waste stream each
year. OmniSource recycles the metal banding disposed of by the company. However,